Warning: Somewhat AU.

Disclaimer: As much as it pains me to say this, I don¹t own Starcraft or any of the characters in this story, except for Durtz, which is a parody of my newbie self. Also, I¹m not sure whether Protoss have mouths or not- probably not, right? Which makes it illogical for Aldaris to be actually speaking to Durtz. Hm... Maybe Durtz just has mental telepathy here.
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           Aldaris frowned as Durtz tried the smallest Zealot suit on. "Try walking," he commanded. Durtz managed to clomp three feet forward before Aldaris stopped him.

"You look like a walking Zealot suit," Aldaris grumbled. "Blargris!"  A younger, somewhat stupid-looking Protoss appeared. "Yes, Judicator?"

"Can you construct a Zealot suit 5 sizes smaller? And a Protoss mask?  Terrans just don¹t look good in these suits."

Blargris' orange eyes turned red for a moment. "What for? Who is this scrawny Terran-ling anyway?"

            "Just do it!" Aldaris barked. Blargris quickly retreated. Aldaris turned to Durtz. "You see, if I had told him your name, he would most likely have torn you apart."

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            The next morning, Blargris returned with a Zealot suit and a Protoss
mask just the right size for Durtz. "I still do not understand why a Terran must become a Zealot."

            Aldaris glared at him. "No one questions me. Now go away, and please, no more questions!"

            The training began. Fortunately, Durtz had been a jock at his school before he decided to take on the career of a nerd, so he learned relatively fast. Of course, Aldaris was often annoyed by his smart-aleck ways. "Learn some manners!" He would yell every time Durtz tried to act like a know-it-all. "Remember, I was Executor long before you! ... Er, Tassadar was, but that doesn't matter."

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           Finally, Aldaris decided to take Durtz to Shakuras, where the Protoss had built a base to attack the Zerg. They were warped right into the middle of a group of Zealots.

             "Aldaris?" They all exclaimed.  "Why are you here?"  Then they all looked down at Durtz.  "And why do you have a child Zealot with you?"

            Aldaris frowned at them.  "Why does everyone keep bothering me?  All I can tell you is that I'm trying to save Aiur."

            The Zealots all shrugged and gave each other strange looks.  Suddenly, they heard the Photon Cannons activate. 

            Five Hydralisks and eight Zerglings were charging at their base.  Before the Zealots arrived, they had already destroyed one Photon Cannon.  Soon, the Zerglings were nothing but carcasses.  Aldaris frowned at Durtz.  "Don't just stand there!" Durtz scuttled off toward the Hydralisks, all the time grumbling about how Aldaris never practiced what he preached.

            Durtz rushed headlong into a Hydralisk and impaled it with the two psi blades.  The Hydralisk fell backwards.  Durtz stumbled over the dead Hydralisk.  "I can't get my blades out!" he screamed in panic as another Hydralisk approached.  The other Zealots quickly put it out of its misery and turned to Durtz.  "Just cut through."

            Aldaris shook his head as he watched the mess.  "You need to experience more battles."

            The vortex in the Gateway suddenly began to swirl again.  Out stepped Fenix.  "Strange midget warrior you've warped in, Aldaris.  I've been watching the battle, and as far as I can see, he's not very good either."

            "He has to learn everything, Fenix." Aldaris 'whispered'.  "His name is Durtz."

            Fenix shook his head in disbelief.  "You must be joking.  Wouldn't it be quicker if we just got rid of him now?"

            "We don't want to be sued.  Besides, killing Terrans doesn't do a lot of good in our situation."

            Suddenly, the transmitter on Aldaris' wrist beeped.  "Incoming transmission..."  On the flickering com screen, Tassadar's face showed.  "Aldaris, we're having trouble here with the Zerg. Come to Terran base 3 as soon as possible."  The transmission ended.

            "Stay here, Fenix.  I have to go." 

Fenix nodded.

            Aldaris dragged the reluctant Durtz onto a Carrier.  As soon as he was gone, all the Zealots looked at each other again.

            TO BE CONTINUED